Today we are all Americans

Sep 11, 2009 in General Interest, Leadership, challenging times

by Jim Cathcart

Ground Zero in New York City

In the afternoon of 9-11-2001, while still reeling from the shocking tragedies of that morning, I wrote the message posted below. Today, 9-11-2009, we have a different set of challenges and fears but once again, I assert that we must come together in a spirit of unison to address, remove and solve the problems plaguing us.

Today’s challenges include a large number of our own political leaders who appear to be driving our country off a cliff. They are rapidly passing legislation and implementing policies and systems far beyond their elected authority to do so. And when they leave office with a comfy pension we and our children will be required to pay their debts.

We need leaders whom we will hold accountable for real solutions, not just symbolic strategies with no proven ability to produce good results. We need to elect new leaders, demand more responsibility and integrity from those who serve us, and revive the spirit of self-reliance and Americanism. We need people whose personal and professional track records are worthy of admiration. People about whom we can say to our children, “Be like them.”

We must forget race, color, religion, gender, age or political party as we look at each other. We must also consider all of our hyphenated self descriptions (“xyz-american”) to be obsolete, permanently. Those that keep race alive as an issue must be ignored and discouraged. When the audience walks away the speakers stop ranting.

We are either American or we are not. E Pluribus Unum, Out of Many…ONE. When we become Americans the other identities are no longer important. It is our Americanism we must honor, grow and protect.

On this day when so many died at the hands of the enemies of Freedom, I urge you to honor their sacrifices and distinguish their legacies by returning the dignity and pride of being an American. Do this by behaving responsibly, speaking up against corruption and injustice and keeping this country free from government oppression and foreign agression.

September 11, 2001 noon PDT (Special Posting)

My friends, Today we are Americans more than anything else. No more can we think merely as business people, speakers, neighbors or students. We must think as a nation of caring people. Our lives as well as our livelihoods have been endangered.

Now is a time for clear thinking. Now is a time to reflect on what we can do. The talents which have allowed us to be successful in various endeavors must now be reassessed for further use. This is a time to ask, “What am I good at? What could I do? What resources do I have?”

Forgetting what you normally do, what can you now do to help:

alleviate fears
diminish panic
prevent further damage
plan beyond this crisis
strengthen communication among your colleagues
help people conquer their fears.

Alexis de Tocqueville once observed that America’s strength lies in her ability to spontaneously organize to solve problems. Well, now is such a time.

If you are holding meetings: Now is a time to come together, not to stay apart. Don’t diminish communication, encourage it! Use your speakers as meeting leaders. Form a panel of your company leaders to answer questions and explore solutions. Allow your people to collaborate on best solutions. Facilitate level headed dialogue. Kill fears with information and reassurance.

We have enormous untapped strength. It lies in the collective wisdom and will of our people.

Life will ultimately return to “normal” but we don’t know exactly when or how. What we do know is that we will be the ones to cause it to happen. People still need the services we provide, and the goods that allow them to pursue their lives as before. Delivery methods, times, places may change but needs don’t go away in a crisis. They merely get postponed. Whether this is a crisis that lasts a week or much longer, it will ultimately pass. Lifestyles will adjust to the new realities, but life and business will go on. We must be focused on the present and building toward tomorrow at the same time.

Eagle Be that voice of reason, that calm assurance that your people need right now. Deal with the setbacks, face the new limitations and spoiled plans. But do it with an optimistic demeanor and an eye focused on the next steps beyond the crisis. In times of crisis leadership emerges from locations never considered before. Please allow that leadership to emerge. We are stronger than any crisis we can face.